How this curvy blogger hopes to change the fashion industry's diversity problem

Fashion blogger Valerie Eguavoen may be on to something with her new #youbelongnow initiative. (Photo: Ganthier Studios/Jonathan Ganthier)

Valerie Eguavoen recently made noise in the fashion industry when she put Revolve on blast for its lack of diversity. After the popular fashion brand hosted a trip to Thailand, Eguavoen, a plus-size fashion blogger of color, recognized that of the 13 social media influencers invited, not one was a dark-skinned woman. Eguavoen had her moment in the spotlight, chastising the company while simultaneously promoting a message of equality. However, she’s not stopping there.

Using the hashtag #YOUBELONGNOW and an associated Instagram account, she is on a mission to provide a platform for content creators who are usually overlooked.

“The #YOUBELONGNOW platform will highlight content creators who are constantly discriminated against because of the color of their skin, their ethnicity, their religion, their gender identity, their size, and many of other social issues present in the industry,” Eguavoen tells Yahoo Lifestyle. “I believe in the power of intersectionality and in the power of coalition. If we all work in a collective manner to uplift one another, we will always win.”

To kick things off, Eguavoen is highlighting 100 black women content creators “to specifically bring to the forefront the pervasive issues of racism and colorism. For generations, black women across the world have been subjected to every single type of socio-economic injustice, and in this moment of celebration and inclusion, I want to honor that fact.”

Highlighted below are 10 highly qualified individuals who would have been great additions to the latest #RevolveAroundtheWorld jaunt. Keep scrolling to get a good glimpse at who they are and follow their journeys. And let’s all continue to celebrate people who deserve to be at the forefront.